Historic album: Tony Fruscella & Brew Moore - Fru'n Brew (Spotlite)

Tony Fruscella (trumpet); Brew Moore (tenor sax); Bill Triglia (piano); Teddy Kotick (bass); Art Madigan (drums)

NYC, mid 1953, the Open Door down in Greenwich Village, five of the most under-recorded, underrated and now mainly unremembered, musicians jammed.

With the exception of Fruscella who, prior to this session had only been recorded once, all five had a pedigree. Moore had, recorded with Mulligan and would later have several albums under his belt in both America and Scandinavia. He was very much of the Lesterian school of tenor playing. He was also a heavy drinker who died after falling downstairs when 'under the influence'. Triglia played piano on Mingus' Tijuana Modes. Kotick was one of Bird's favourite bassists whilst Madigan recorded with Wardell Gray and Art Farmer. 

Tomorrow night @ the Globetoon strutters ball

© Sheila H

Swing into Christmas with raw New Orleans jazz from Alligator Gumbo on Sunday 15 December. Dancing, drinking and decadence expected. Tickets £12 advance https://theglobenewcastle.bar/pro.../dec-15-alligator-gumbo/

Martial Solal (Aug. 13, 1927 - Dec. 12, 2024)

Martial Solal, Studio 32, Joinville le Pont, 1970.

A timely reminder of the genius that was Martial Solal who passed away on Thursday at the age of 97.

Probably the greatest French jazz pianist of all-time.

Rest In Peace.

Lance

Paul Edis & Friends: A Jazzy Xmas @ St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook - Dec. 13.

Not so much a review….more a recommendation.

From its origins at The Sage, Gateshead, in 2017 the “Jazzy Christmas” franchise has grown and grown and is still expanding, territorially, with gigs in Surrey and Cumbria already this year! St. Cuthbert’s, Crook, is once again the first venue in the North-East from which I am reporting with uncharacteristic brevity (on the assumption that Lance or Russell will pen some more musically insightful comments after one of the remaining shows).

Attention! Musicians Unlimited's Xmas Party (Sun 15 Dec)

 

Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre - Dec. 13

Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet/flugel), Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, John Stone (trumpets); John Flood, Chris Kurgi-Smith, Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby (trombones); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Sue Ferris (reeds); Graham Don (keys); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); John Hirst (drums); Alice Grace (vocals)

Zowie! When the SSBB brass section hits you, you know you've been hit - Zowie!

Yes it's Christmas time once more and that means party hats and chestnuts roasting on open fires in contradiction to the fire safety regulations.

The opener, Joy to the World, set the scene for the delectable Ms Grace to do just that with Fever and Kansas City. Looked good, sounded good. 

It doesn't do any harm for a big band to have some Kenton charts in the pad and Recuerdos, from 1956, had a great Latin feel to it with solos by Robinson, Don, Parnaby and leader Lamb. It was the latter's only solo of the first set. In the absence of Pete Tanton I'd have liked more.

Dean Stockdale Trio @ Auckland Castle - Dec. 13

Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); John Bradford (drums)

Another full house in the Old Library, standing room only. Bishop Auckland Jazz is doing something right, that's for sure. To conclude a run of sold out concerts during 2024, pianist Dean Stockdale brought in his A-list trio featuring bassist Mick Shoulder and drummer John Bradford. A couple of Christmas trees, one or two Christmas jumpers sighted, bottles of wine on tables, yes, it's that time of year.

Album review: Judy Wexler - No Wonder (Jewel City Jazz/A-Train Entertainment)

Judy Wexler (vocals); Danny Janklow, (alto/tenor sax,  alto flute/ flute); Bob Sheppard (soprano sax , clarinet); Jay Jennings (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jeff Colella (piano, melodica); Larry Koonse (guitars); Gabe Davis (bass); Steve Hass (drums)

No Wonder presents the divinely talented vocalist, Judy Wexler and a cadre of L.A. A-listers in a collection of the tried and true, some outliers, and other brilliant choices in an overall bravura performance.

The title tune launches the session with a straight cover of Brazilian singer/composer, Luciana Souza’s poetic tune. Energetic, exceptionally polyrhythmic with tempo alterations, Wexler is definitely on her game here. She exhibits acrobatic vocal flair throughout and her scat unison with tenor saxophonist, Danny Janklow (who offers an engaging solo) is an exceptional touch. Steve Hass’s set work is an absolute master class.

Xhosa Cole single from new album released today.

Further to my review of Xhosa Cole's forthcoming release - On a Modern Genius Vol. 1 (available from Jan. 10, 2025) - Stoney Lane Records have released a taster single from the album today. Listen to Come Sunday HERE (or on a platform of your choice). Lance

Jazz on the Tyne Christmas Special 2024

On the latest edition of the podcast, presenter Colin Muirhead plays festive music by:

Paul Edis & Friends, Emma Smith, Herbie Hancock, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Taylor, Yellowjackets, Laila Biali, Jo Harrop & Paul Edis, Gregory Porter & Samara Joy, Chris Botti, Caecilie Norby, Paolo Fresu, Michael Franks, and the Strictly Smokin’ Big Band.

You can listen to the show anytime HERE.

Plus, you can request tunes for future programmes by emailing Colin at jazz.tyne.hive@gmail.com or heading to www.jazzonthetyne.org.